trapezius

American  

[truh-pee-zee-uhs] / trəˈpi zi əs /

noun

Anatomy.

trapeziuses plural

1. a broad, flat muscle on each side of the upper and back part of the neck, shoulders, and back, the action of which raises, or rotates, or draws back the shoulders, and pulls the head backward or to one side.

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trapezius British  

/ trəˈpiːzɪəs /

noun

1. either of two flat triangular muscles, one covering each side of the back and shoulders, that rotate the shoulder blades

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• trapeziuses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of trapezius

1685–95; < New Latin, short for trapezius musculus trapeziform muscle

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

trapezius

But Smith still feels tightness through his right trapezius, when he turns his head.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 11, 2026

The bilateral trapezius muscles were manually segmented, followed by muscle T2 extraction.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 29, 2023

The approval of such injections for cosmetic purposes is only limited to procedures involving the face, making the use of the injection in the trapezius "off-label".

From Reuters ● Sep. 1, 2023

To Wilson, he said, ‘‘If you’re both O.K. with it, slide your right hand downstage over the left trapezius, basically coming up to the back of his neck.’’

From New York Times ● Jan. 14, 2020

The trapezius, the splenius, the scaleni, and the levator scapulæ muscle may also undergo shortening, along with their investing sheaths derived from the cervical fascia.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander